Seeking Compensation After a Crash with a Food Delivery Driver

Seeking Compensation After a Crash with a Food Delivery Driver

Delivery services have exploded in popularity in recent years, reaching a peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that roads across America, even in rural and suburban areas, are clogged with independent contractors and company drivers who are all trying to beat the clock and make their deliveries on time. What happens when their speediness causes a crash? Who is responsible for your medical bills and other expenses?

Collisions with food delivery drivers and other professional drivers can be complicated. An attorney can help you sort through the facts and pursue the compensation you are owed. Schedule a consultation with Peake & Fowler now by calling us at 803-788-4370.

Who is Liable?

As is the case in any personal injury claim, your attorney has to figure out who caused the crash. If you are liable for the collision, everything will go through your own insurance company and likely lead to an increase in rates. However, if an initial investigation shows that the other driver is responsible, you then have to figure out who is financially liable.

When you are involved in a crash with someone driving on their own time, it’s simple—you just go through their insurance company. When you collide with a food delivery driver, it’s a little bit tougher. Your claim might go through their personal insurance company, their company’s insurance plan, or a supplemental plan provided by an employer.

Insurance Requirements for Specific Delivery Services

There are many food delivery services across the United States, but the biggest three are DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats. Insurance options and requirements vary between companies.

Drivers for DoorDash do have access to basic liability coverage that kicks in after the driver’s personal insurance has been maxed out. This coverage provides compensation for property damage and bodily injury. However, coverage is only accessible if a crash occurs when a driver has food in their car. If they are on their way to a pickup, coverage is not available.

GrubHub does not offer extra insurance coverage for drivers. This can be disastrous for you as a victim, since many personal insurance policies do not allow drivers to drive commercially. If the person liable for your accident does not have a plan that allows for commercial driving, you may be unable to recoup any losses from them.

Uber Eats offers coverage similar to that which is provided to Uber drivers. Coverage kicks in the moment a driver accepts a pickup request and until a delivery is made, so you are more likely to have your claim covered.

All of these are typical scenarios for food delivery services that use independent contractors. If you are hit by a delivery for a specific place, such as a pizza delivery driver, it is far more likely that they are an actual employee. In this case, your claim would go through the company’s insurance.

How an Attorney Can Help

It’s obvious that a car accident involving a food delivery driver can be more complicated than a crash involving two personal vehicle drivers. This can make it challenging for you, as a victim, to get the compensation you deserve.

You might find yourself bounced back and forth between insurance companies, both insistent that the other one is responsible for your expenses. They might try to deflect blame back onto you or deny that the driver was actually on a food run at the time of the crash. This is enough to make many car accident victims give up and just go through their own insurance company, running the risk of a rate increase.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you avoid this outcome. At Peake & Fowler, we understand the complexities of these case and what it takes to get the liable party to pay up. We’ll fight for you every step of the way, whether that means pushing for a full and fair settlement or going to court.

Find Out How Peake & Fowler Can Help You

The sooner you get in touch with Peake & Fowler, the more quickly we can begin working on your case. To set up a consultation and get started, call us at 803-788-4370 or fill out our easy online contact form. We’ll be in touch to set up a meeting time and learn more about your case.